Simon_Foston said...

Simon_Foston at 11:46 PM JST - 23rd August

The hopeless LDP should have replaced him many months ago to have even a remote chance of competing.

But therein lies another problem. Had there been a really credible candidate for the LDP presidency, presumably they'd have stood for election after Fukuda quit last year. Also, kicking out Aso only…

Posted in Aso brushes aside polls indicating landslide DPJ victory at 11:46 PM JST - 23rd August
Simon_Foston at 07:26 AM JST - 23rd August

Simon - Hatoyama hasn't had to drive himself anywhere since before he was conceived either. Amazing huh?

I haven't seen Hatoyama in any dumb photo ops like this one, though.

Posted in Campaigning at 07:26 AM JST - 23rd August
Simon_Foston at 07:39 PM JST - 22nd August

Sarge said,

Outspoken - What makes you think Hatoyama would be a better PM than Aso? Because he doesn't make as many mistakes reading kanji?

What makes you think he'd be a worse one? Oh wait, let me guess. The DPJ's foreign policy isn't as Republican-friendly?

Anyway, given that this…

Posted in Campaigning at 07:39 PM JST - 22nd August
Simon_Foston at 08:29 AM JST - 22nd August

I saw him in Majiro last night. Knocking back his scotch and smoking away.

Judging by that picture I'd guess he'd already knocked back a few by the time you saw him.

Posted in Campaigning at 08:29 AM JST - 22nd August
Simon_Foston at 11:48 AM JST - 21st August

In the good old days of LDP rule he wouldn't have needed experience, a record or any passion. With three generations of cabinet ministers behind him he'd be on the fast track for a cabinet post himself, and then all he'd have to do was whatever the bureaucrats in his…

Posted in I have no record. I have no experience. But I have the passion to create a better Japan. at 11:48 AM JST - 21st August
Simon_Foston at 11:00 AM JST - 21st August

This Brit told me it's damn near impossible to get a dentist appointment in the U.K. unless you're rich and pay the dentist out of your pocket. He must be lying...

Unfortunately no he isn't. A lot of dental treatment isn't paid for on the NHS, and dentists are charging…

Posted in Health care is a hot topic for debate in many countries. What do you think is the best system? at 11:00 AM JST - 21st August
Simon_Foston at 10:46 AM JST - 20th August

You're right, Simon, since the polls say the DPJ rules, the LDP-Komeito coalition is toast!

Some of these younger candidates are almost certainly going to lose against well-established incumbents, but LDP politicians, e.g. Hiroyuki Hosoda, have admitted themselves that they're just aiming to retain their simple majority, which won't enable…

Posted in DPJ challenges LDP heavyweights by fielding female rookies at 10:46 AM JST - 20th August
Simon_Foston at 08:20 AM JST - 19th August

"Tanaka... started her battle by taking to the street on ( a ) bicycle with a pink shirt and white trousers"

And she's running against Yoshiro Mori! How can she lose? She's running on the Minshuto ticket, that's how!

The most recent Asahi poll shows the DPJ getting 32% support,…

Posted in DPJ challenges LDP heavyweights by fielding female rookies at 08:20 AM JST - 19th August
Simon_Foston at 10:52 PM JST - 18th August

While I still think the DPJ will win a majority of seats, I think they cannot rule alone and will not have enough sets to beat the LDP and New Komeito.

With their control of the House of Councillors, right now a simple majority is all the DPJ needs to…

Posted in Hatoyama should serve as prime minister for 4 years: DPJ's Okada at 10:52 PM JST - 18th August
Simon_Foston at 10:41 PM JST - 18th August

This incident in which some Minshuto people cut and pasted together two Japanese national flags to make a banner with that stupid Minshuto logo for an event in Kagoshima is not going to help them in this election.

Not in Kagoshima, at any rate. It might be one of the…

Posted in Main party leaders hit streets to start election campaign at 10:41 PM JST - 18th August